Yukon Stone Sheep Operation Trophy Stone Safaris Changes Hands

Published: January - 2008

Stone sheep hunters will want to know that Curt Thompson of Trophy Stone Safaris in the Yukon has sold his concession and hunting operation. The new owners are Dean and Lori Sandulak, who have renamed the company Trophy Stone Outfitting. We checked in with Dean Sandulak to learn more about the deal and what his plans are for the operation. Sandulak, who tells us he has 25 years of outfitting and guiding experience, says the sale was in the works for the past three years. In preparation for the changeover, he says he and his wife have been working with Thompson for the past two years.

The only real change Sandulak intends to make is opening some new areas for moose hunting. This year, he plans to hunt an area that has never been moose-hunted before. He has another such area in mind for 2009.

At this writing, Sandulak says he has spoken with at least half of the hunters booked for this season and hopes to communicate with the rest by the first week of January. Prices and contracts for 2008 will remain the same. Stone sheep hunts will remain at $18,000, plus a $10,000 trophy fee when a sheep is taken. Moose hunts will have to go up to $14,000 for 2009, and Sandulak is hoping the US dollar will rebound this year from its steady slump in value so that he doesn't have to raise other hunt prices.

We should note that we do not have any subscriber reports on Sandulak and our contacts in Canada were unfamiliar with him. Hunters who have experience with this operator are encouraged to send us their comments, as a number of Hunting Report subscribers are booked to hunt with Trophy Stone this coming season and would like some first-hand hunter feedback on the new owners. Hunters can meet the Sandulaks in Reno at the SCI Convention (Booth 5003) and at the FNAWS convention in Salt Lake City.